Friday arrived swiftly, though Nolan and Emily had hardly seen each other in the last several days. He had been drawn in to several conference calls regarding the status of his latest prototype set to hit the market by the end of the year - right in time for Christmas sales - and more investor meetings than he cared to attend. Added in to the mix were scheduling updates with his assistant; he had covershoots for both Forbes and New Tech magazine coming up, there was an engineering summit where he would give a speech, and he was set to make an appearance at a movie premiere. For the last event he had requested two tickets - Emily loved a great spy thriller, so the film would be right up her alley.
For her part, Emily had been busy with Aiden and Takeda. The Graysons were preoccupied with various things in the summers - Victoria with her social events and the men with expanding the business. Aiden fed the family's movements to Takeda, who utilized his considerable network contacts against them. Already Takeda Industries had outmaneuvered Grayson Global in several markets, to Conrad's public embarrassment. Daniel wasn't much help in that arena, still learning as he was on the bottom rung of the company ladder and even then he was near useless. For the last several nights Daniel could be found getting absolutely hammered while out courting a certain blonde, she who was completely blameless if he was so weak as to not being able to hold his liquor like a man. Emily had become even more creative in working against the family, from ruining Victoria's parties to seeding gossip about Daniel's involvement with undesirables and Conrad's embezzling to cover a ridiculous amount of debt. Nothing too substantial had come from the gossip yet, but Emily was having her fun in smearing the "good" Grayson name.
To anyone else, going out to dinner would be a treat, a night off - to Emily this was another occasion to observe the Hamptons social set and weave her place more deeply into it. She and Nolan were certainly known entities but they were not close with anyone save each other. For all the fame and money that his genius had brought him, Nolan simply did not fit in with the Old Money elite. He never would; his upbringing and interests excluded him, yet he still chose to live amongst them. It was for Emily, of course. The man could live anywhere in the world, especially now that he had granted her emancipation, but she had expressed to him her deep-hearted desire to remain with him in the Hamptons. Many a night they had sat out in the backyard and Emily had told him, again and again, how she wanted them both to stay in the Hamptons until her father was free.
How could Nolan say no? He had only the barest inkling of Emily's true motivations - she only wanted to remain in the Hamptons to stay close to the Graysons, and most of their public life was a cover for her vendetta.
Nolan only knew a few things, really, but the most pressing of them were that he was ready for dinner and Emily was running late. "Emily, come on, hurry up! Aren't you ready yet?"
They had a reservation that was sure to hold, but he had worked in the service industry before and he remembered the stress of a busy Friday night. He didn't want to cause the waitstaff any trouble. Emily was taking her time, though. He'd seen her slip into the house with a new garment bag, so clearly she'd been out shopping that afternoon. Women and their dresses! He rolled his eyes and went on pacing in the living room, an eye on the clock and car keys in his hand. He had skipped lunch and was ready to kill for a good steak.
"All right, all right. Hold your horses, Nolan." Emily groused as she finally emerged from her bedroom.
Nolan had seen Emily dressed up before throughout their years together, of course. His girl had enjoyed making a show of her blossoming into womanhood, mostly to his discomfort. He'd noticed the changes over the years, how could he not?
But this...
Emily was wrapped in a sheer silk dress that left her shoulders exposed and a high slit revealed one long leg while the other remained hidden in the long skirt. Her hair was lightly curled and pinned up in the back, her makeup a touch more dramatic than usual. She looked elegant, alluring, mature. In short, she was a woman now. She smiled at him, clearly pleased by his wide-eyed reaction to her new dress. The style was a departure for her, but definitely a step in the right direction.
"How do I look?" She prompted. It was petty, she knew she looked fantastic but that wasn't the point. She wanted to hear Nolan say it. Her small way of exerting control.
Nolan fumbled slightly, unsure of what he could get away with saying to her. Had she been any other woman, he would have told her to hell with dinner, they were staying in for the night and he'd make her breakfast in the morning. Not exactly appropriate, but what between them could be described as such? Instead, he went for something more banal. "You look okay. Are you ready to go?"
Emily rolled her eyes and grabbed her purse.
SeaGlass was a lovely, intimate space. Nolan had read a few articles on it before the opening, and so he knew it would boast different offerings than what he and Emily had come to expect from the other restaurants in the area - both in the food and the decor. Rather than the breezy, nautical theme they enjoyed at their favored day spots, SeaGlass had a more mature, sensual air about it with deeper colors, subdued music, lower lighting, and an aphrodisiacal inspired menu reserved for couples. The place was sure to be a favorite for the Hamptons husbands to take their mistresses for dinner before taking them to bed at the Southfork Inn.
As they'd been lead to their private booth, Nolan was keenly aware of the attention on Emily and he wasn't surprised in the least. His bias in her favor aside, she was easily the loveliest young woman in the whole space; he couldn't help looking across the table at her and feeling a sense of pride to be the man whose arm she'd held on entering the dining room. Being the opening night for a beach club, she'd dressed and adorned herself to look like a mermaid on land, all shimmering silk and bright blonde waves.
Emily, who had endured and accomplished so much in so short a time, was truly remarkable and tonight she looked every inch of it.
The other men sizing her up had no idea of her true self. All they could see was Emily Thorne, the pretty ward of Nolan Ross. To them she was many things: a rich target to lure into an investment, a useful networking connection to him, a beach bunny they'd bed just for a passing thrill. Nolan knew all of this and so he felt protective, and even more so, possessive over her. She was his, as sure as he was hers.
They fell into their habit of cracking inside jokes and flirting as they looked over the menu. Oyster appetizers, a steak with artichoke hearts for him with ahi tuna for her, fresh chocolate strawberries shared for dessert and several potent cocktails between them. It was familiar yet fascinating, safe yet exciting. There was a new element to their night, an undercurrent to their connection. They both felt it, undenied, softly confused with anticipation.
Emily felt herself sinking into the heat brought on by the alcohol and the atmosphere. Other men were looking at her, she could feel the stolen glances of both the curious and the lustful. Single men enjoying the bar and even those who had come with dates and their families couldn't seem to help themselves. She enjoyed the attention, every woman did, but the flush rising over her chest and throat was down to just one man.
Emily smiled at Nolan and slid her hand across the tabletop, placing her fingers in his. She leaned in close to tell him, "Nolan, I'm glad you invited me out tonight. It's beautiful, it's very different from our usual places here and in the city."
He stroked his thumb over the back of her hand, pleased to see the gooseflesh that rose over her forearm at his touch. "Let's get one thing straight tonight - you're what's beautiful. As for this place, I was just thinking about how unique it is, but then again so are we." He took in a sip of his bourbon, relishing the heat of it. "We've come such a long way."
"Yes. Together." Emily squeezed his hand. "I hate to think about what might have happened if you hadn't stepped in for me, but sometimes I can't help but wonder. God only knows where I'd be now."
Nolan squeezed her hand in return and brought his other hand over hers, their gazes holding steady. "Don't play the 'what if' game. It never crossed my mind to leave you. After I brought you home I had to make it up as I went along, though. I think we've done all right so far."
"Better than just all right. It's almost enough."
"Only almost?" He raised a brow.
"You already know it, Nolan. It'll be enough for me once dad comes back."
At that, Nolan reached for his drink once more but kept hold of her hand. "The appeal starts in a few weeks. It's impossible not to hope for the best outcome: immediate dismissal of all charges, for him to be declared innocent and released back to us on the same day. I picture it different ways, on different days...you have your fantasies, I have mine."
"And what does yours look like tonight, Nolan?" This question of hers was a powerful one. Loaded with a heavy dose of promise, her new allure was terrifying in and of itself and what's more, Nolan could feel himself slipping, being drawn in by some heady mix of familiar affection and dawning lust.
Nolan took a deep sip, already warm and loose, ignoring the voice in the back of his mind warning him against everything tonight. He chose the safer route in speaking of her father, thinking it would help him to remember who they were to each other. She wasn't just any gorgeous young woman, she was Amanda, she was Emily...however, rather than remind him of the distance that should stand between them, it only served to reinforce that they were undeniably united. Together they had formed a partnership and built a house of secrets. She knew things about him that he hadn't told anyone, and Nolan still knew her best.
"Hmm...sometimes I picture a big party to welcome David home, sometimes I just picture us all having a nice quiet dinner at my house." He shrugged. "I know you'll have plenty of time together at the Clarke house."
"By ourselves? No, you'll be with us." She rubbed her thumb over his hand.
"Maybe at first, but I can't imagine that David would want to stay in the Hamptons for very long. Not if the Graysons are still here, not when the media will still be after him." Nolan shook his head and then broke eye contact, looking down to her hand within his own. "After a time he'll want to go, and you'll want to go off with him."
Emily could sense his heartache at the thought. "Nolan. There is no time where I would want a life without you in it."
He thought on that, recalling all the times were she had said as much. She wasn't the only one who needed reassurance from time to time. "Ems...you know my family has never been much of a family. I think that in life we get the family we're born into, and as we move forward, we choose family of our own. I chose you then, and I've chosen you every day since."
Warmth flooded her heart. Nolan Ross. Her guardian, her friend, this man she loved with the purest part of herself. They loved each other, truly, it was only this night that was bringing it to the surface, past their familial affection and his dismissal of her sincerity.
Emily did something a bit daring then, and grazed Nolan's inner calf under the table with her foot. It wasn't long after that they called it a night.
It must have been the champagne after the cocktails, or the sensual atmosphere of the new club, or a general sense of giddiness that had overtaken them both. In any case neither were fit to drive and so a hired car drove them back to Nolan's home. The pair spent the entire trip in the backseat as a tangle of long limbs and half-slurred jokes, the giggling idiots. It was refreshing to them both, to let loose for a night, to simply be silly and drunk with a friend. The rest of the world didn't exist in these precious few miles back to the house.
They laughed all the way up the driveway and on stepping into the house, but all at once, the energy shifted.
No sooner had Nolan set his keys and wallet aside, with a suggestion for another dessert on the tip of his tongue, did Emily move in close and laid her hands on him, smoothing her hands over his chest and shoulders. In immediate response, she felt Nolan's hands twine over her, to rest lightly on the dip of her waist. He dipped his head, closing his eyes and pressing his forehead to hers, swaying himself with her in semblance of a dance. Emily's blood was heated from the alcohol shared over dinner and the anticipation of what was to come. Nolan was so solid, so close. She could scent his cologne and his skin, and she wanted him in all ways. Touch me, kiss me, was her silent plea. She wanted his hands on her bare skin and pulling at her hair, his lips on hers, his teeth at her throat. She wanted him to take her into his bedroom, that sacred space of the house that belonged to him alone. She wanted him to take her gently, to take her roughly, to hold her, to love her.
Nolan's hands only moved up and down her back, barely grazing her with his fingertips. He was still swaying and had moved to press his cheek to her temple, content to just enjoy the closeness and warmth of her for another moment. Inside, the man was at war with himself, conflicted between these new feelings the night had stirred in him and what he saw as his most moral achievement, protecting Emily at cost to himself. He felt dizzy, his mind happily spinning in her scent and open adoration. He wanted her. In a very real way, Nolan wanted Emily. He wanted to kiss her, to see-
It was Emily who broke the spell, her speaking his name hitting him with the same effect of a bucket of ice water. "Nolan, I-"
The man pulled from her, a rush of cold air moving to fill the sudden void between them. His posture was rigid and his face a bright smiling mask. "Well, I had a great time tonight Ems, good night!"
Emily stood before him, confused, her hands still warm from where she'd just been touching him. "Wh-? Good night?"
The man nodded emphatically, backing away from her and stumbling slightly in doing so, tripping over his own feet in his haste to put distance between them, clearly desperate to dispel the arousal they had nearly succumbed to just a moment before. "Yep, I have an early Skype meeting tomorrow to discuss the new rollout of Nolpad upgrades and it's been a long day so I'm just going to call it a night. See ya!"
The man all but bolted to the back of the house and into the safety of his room. He closed the door and she heard the snick of his lock sliding into place. Emily stood, incredulous at his reaction. She rolled her eyes. Really, he had just locked himself in as if he was worried she'd chase after him, break the door down and demand satisfaction.
Well.
Not tonight.
Emily huffed. Nolan had been flirting back with her, she was sure of it. If she hadn't said his name, woken him up, then he would have kissed her. He would have kissed her, he would have touched her, he would have held her and loved her - but she had said his name, and he'd lost his nerve, rushing to isolate himself and pretend that this had been just like every other night they'd gone out to dinner.
Emily stood in the foyer, alone. Nolan should still be here, his arms around her, his lips on her own. But he was gone.
Fine.
There was nothing for it now, and Emily didn't relish the thought of an awkward conversation in the morning. She took a deep breath to calm the heat he'd stirred in her. Nolan would probably use a pile of metaphors to explain why whatever almost happened was inappropriate and then nothing else would be said on the matter, though things would certainly be changed. No more affectionate touching or flirty banter, certainly their outings at night would come to an end. They would essentially just become roommates. No longer partners in crime, no longer partners in anything.
Emily slipped off her heels and headed into her own bedroom, determined that she would not be home when Nolan emerged from his room in the morning.
Nolan locked the door and then began to pace the length of his room. He felt tense, jittery, charged up. His heart was hammering in his chest and he swiped at the sweat over his forehead. He and Emily had just had a moment, there was no denying it. There was no denying his arousal, either. He moved into the bathroom to splash cold water over his face, hoping it would cool the conflicted fire in his blood.
Had Emily not spoken, he would have kissed her. He would have kissed her and done God knows what else if she would have let him. It was pointless to deny that he had grown attracted to her. He hadn't been able to help but notice as she had grown into herself, and Emily never hesitated in showing off her figure or in being physically affectionate and flirty with him. Hell, Padma had accused him of all kinds of things over the holidays, and now here he had very nearly proven her right!
If he had kissed her, would Emily have stopped it or would she have encouraged him? She had had a crush on him at one time, Nolan knew, but he had ignored it. She had been entirely too young and vulnerable, he never would have laid a hand on her. Had their night out stirred up those feelings in her again, or had she just never grown out of it? Nolan was no prude, and despite his immense respect for her, he was no gentleman when it came to sex. Had Emily allowed him an inch, he would have taken a mile and only stopped if she stopped him.
He felt...well, he wasn't sure how he should feel. That alone unnerved him. Shouldn't he feel ashamed of himself and remorseful for what he had done? Shouldn't he feel disgusted by what he had wanted - still wanted - with Emily?
And Emily, what was she doing now?
Nolan imagined that she had retreated back to her own bedroom, her door firmly locked against him and she was in there now snarling and huffing insults against him.
Emily was sure to be upset. She had to feel as unbalanced as he did in that moment. Was she angry? Afraid? Here he was her de facto guardian who had very nearly taken her on the sofa! He sank down to sit on the end of his bed and rubbed at his eyes. What in the hell was wrong with him, to have acted in such a way with her?Emily deserved better than that. She deserved better than him, really, and to let himself come so close to losing control was inexcusable. He should feel like a filthy predator, but instead he just felt denied and confused.
They would need to discuss things, they couldn't let this sit.
Nolan knew he had to give her some space before addressing it. Emily might want to leave, go to live at the Clarke house rather than stay under his roof since his protection was now compromised. This was his own damn fault, and he would hate to lose her, hate the distance that would form between them from this, but it might be for the best. He would rather dampen their friendship than lose it completely.
For now, though, what Nolan needed most was a shower and a long night's rest.
Emily slid onto her seat across from Aiden at Layered, the cafe that served as their meeting place - at least until the Clarke house renovations were complete. Meeting in a Hamptons cafe risked being seen together, and though their backstory would suffice if asked, it would still play better in their favor to avoid the question in the first place.
"You and Nolan looked cozy last night."
Not cozy enough! Emily thought in irritation.
The man had still been in his room when she'd left the house that morning, hiding from her. He probably hadn't even unlocked his bedroom door until he was sure she had left their neighborhood, the skinny coward.
"You're spying on me now?"
"No more than usual."
"Aiden!"
"It was just chance I was at SeaGlass last night. Opening night, so of course I had to escort the the Graysons. They noticed though, and it was remarked on at the table by Victoria." Aiden winked at Emily, he knew the woman was her favorite subject.
"What did she say?"
"Nothing much." He shrugged. "Just some crack about how you and your cousin were clearly quite close, and she urged Daniel to make a lasting connection with you before Nolan did."
Emily rolled her eyes. "Oh, great." She didn't need seedy gossip to shade her image or drive Nolan further out of reach. Though pressure from Mommy Dearest might inspire Daniel to take things with her more seriously, in which case...
"I wouldn't worry." Aiden reasoned. "Half the Hamptons like to claim they're descended from Old World royalty. The two of you may bring inbreeding back into fashion."
Emily snorted at the idea. "Not quite the impact I want to make."
Aiden nodded and took out his cell, checking the calendar he'd compiled on the schedule for each Grayson. Conrad was at the Inn, working on his "backstroke" with the club's new tennis coach and Victoria was likewise preoccupied with her various socials clubs - where she used to reign over all, she had been downgraded to the rank of a mere paying member thanks to Emily's interference in the woman's parties. Daniel - deeply unhappy at Grayson Global - had taken to exercise to offset all the stress and drinking, and was currently training for a half-marathon.
"Daniel will be out running today, perhaps you'd like to make another impact on him."
"With my car, yes."
Aiden snorted so hard his drink nearly shot through his nose. He coughed and laughed, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. "Easy, Emily. That might be taking things too far."
"Or not far enough. Taking out the Golden Child could be the perfect way to get things started this summer."
"Count me out on that. I'm all for spying in on these people to get at the truth of their involvement with 197, but their children are off the table. Even that spoiled, stupid, entitled prick son of theirs." Aiden told her, relishing his every insult toward Daniel. He didn't want any genuine harm against those who hadn't been involved in the incident, though he did relish the fantasy of beating the snobby little bastard every now and then.
"I know, I know." Emily waved off his warning. "I was just joking. My humor gets a little dark these days."
"Understood. I'm much the same way." Aiden finished his coffee and leaned forward. "Just remember, there's never true closure with someone dead."
Using Aiden's access to the Graysons' schedule, Emily was able to find Daniel easily enough. What a coincidence it was, to bump into him as he was training, when she was just out on her afternoon run as well! What were the odds?
After coffee with Aiden, she had slipped home to change into her favored Nike gear and then found Daniel running sprints on the beach just a half mile from his home. She waved as she jogged nearer to him, all smiles and flushed cheeks. "Hi Daniel."
"Emily, hello." He was gasping a bit, having sweat through his shirt but was trying to hide it and impress her. "You caught me training for the half-marathon I'm running next month."
She raised her brows, always challenging him. This was the key; Daniel could have every girl he wanted on the strength of his family's wealth alone. That she challenged him set her apart, and that she didn't always make herself available made him more prone to keep chasing after her. This meeting was staged so as to be entirely kismet. "Think you can bring home the gold?"
"If it gets me more time with you, I'll bring home two." Daniel smiled at her an reached for his Powerade. He downed the bottle and nodded toward the shore. "I've done enough training for the day-"
He hadn't.
"-do you want to take a walk?"
She didn't.
"I'd love to."
Hours later, and still with Daniel, Emily felt the subtle vibration coming from the card screen in her pocket. She bit her lip, regretful that she could not excuse herself to speak with her father. It was already late afternoon; she made a mental note to call him as soon as she was done here and returned to Nolan's house where it was safe to speak freely.
She blinked at Daniel, refocusing on him. "Sorry, what was that?"
"I was just saying, you should come out riding with me some time. You have a horse, right?" He stretched his arms out, flexing for her. Daniel did have an impressive physique, but she wan't impressed by biceps alone.
"I do now, yes. As a graduation gift Nolan bought my polo horse from school."
Emily showed him her favorite picture of Patch, one she liked so much that she'd set it as the background on her cell phone. Her precious big boy, freshly bathed and groomed, looking so handsome wearing his new saddle and reigns.
Daniel frowned. "Hmm. Not much of a gift. That looks like a school horse, they always use lower stock for student rotations. He must be over fifteen years old already. You could sell him off and upgrade, I'll give you the contact information for the breeder I use. I trade out my horse every few years."
Emily pocketed her phone before she jammed it down Daniel's throat. "Patch may be long in the tooth but he could outrun any one of your little colts."
"Whoa, easy girl! Looks like I struck a nerve, sorry." Daniel apologized.
"It's all right, I'm just very protective of my giant baby."
"I can see that." It was on the tip of his tongue to assert that a polo horse was just a tool in the game, much like a racing greyhound, but she clearly regarded her horse as more of a pet. God knew women loved their animals above everything, so he reminded himself to be more mindful of what he said about the old nag. "So how about it?"
Emily smiled prettily, "All right, Daniel. You have yourself a ride. May the best woman win."
As Emily was out spending her day up and down the beach with Daniel, Nolan had remained holed up in his office. Though he had used his morning schedule as a shield to excuse himself from her the night before, it hadn't been a lie. He had been occupied right from the start of the morning. He'd heard Emily leave, then return a few hours later before leaving again, all while he had been on conference calls that each spanned across several hours.
Finally, he ended the Australia call with a cheery "hooroo!" and disconnected.
The man stood, stretching his arms high above his head and grunting as his back and shoulders lightly popped. He'd been at his desk all day with barely a minute to himself. Enough was enough. Nolan slipped into the kitchen to make himself a snack, then flopped onto the sofa and turned on the television. He would speak with Emily whenever she returned home, but at the moment all he cared to do was eat and escape into whatever bad movie he could scare up on Netflix.
Thirty minutes into Bad Boys 2, and Nolan's cell phone chirped. The name Denise Walker was flashing on the ID screen with her picture, unsmiling and serious. Ever the professional, down to her bones.
"Denise, you sexy thang!" He greeted, leaning forward and reaching for the TV remote, switching from Netflix back to cable. "Got any news for me?"
Her voice, usually so calm, was different now. She sounded urgent and upset, words he had never attributed to his legal eagle. "Sir, I had to call you before-"
"Jeez, what's so..." Nolan trailed off as the picture came into focus onscreen and his phone slipped from suddenly nerveless fingers.